Non-GM successes: Disease resistance

Despite the usual hyperbole about the promise of GM disease resistant crops, hardly any have been commercialised anywhere in the world and some of the biggest claims to success have been exposed as false. Non-GM plant breeding, on the other hand, has achieved success after success. Here are some of the non-GM successes.

Napier grass

Papayas

Researchers develop non-GM papaya resistant to ringspot virus (July 2010)Despite claims that only GM could deliver this, researchers have developed a papaya resistant to ringspot virus through conventional breeding. The researchers comment, "Application of these results should lead to restoration of the papaya industry in virus-infested regions of the Philippines and worldwide." GM proponents have repeatedly promoted GM ringspot virus-resistant papayas as the only solution to the problem.

Taro

Tomato

A Nepali farm specializing in producing organic vegetables has developed nine varieties of tomatoes it says are high-yielding as well as tolerant to disease and heat. The tomatoes, named Srijana ("creation"), will be available in the markets of Kathmandu within a year.